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Project

Discovering the role of titin (TTN) in anthracycline-induced cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer.

Anthracyclines are the mainstay of chemotherapeutic treatment in a wide range of malignancies. Due to a growing population of cancer survivors, the importance of long-term complications of anti-cancer treatment has increased. Cardiotoxicity is the most frequent adverse event, but the inter-individual susceptibility for the development of cardiotoxicity is high. This variability is not fully explained by differences in clinical risk factors. Therefore, it is suggested that genetic variations may play a role. Genetic variants in titin, an import anchoring protein in the cardiomyocytes, can cause a predisposition to dilated cardiomyopathies that are clinically similar to chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. In this translational research project we will investigate whether variants in important structural cardiac genes, more specific titin, are related to increased susceptibility for cardiotoxicity and vascular toxicity in breast cancer patients. Underlying mechanisms and potentially preventive therapy for this anticipated effect will be studied in a preclinical knock-in Ttn mouse model.
Date:1 Mar 2021 →  Today
Keywords:TARGETED THERAPY, GENETIC FACTORS, BREAST CANCER
Disciplines:Cardiology